Method For Playing Modified Blackjack

ABSTRACT

A method of playing modified blackjack wherein, in one embodiment, a plurality of decks of cards is provided wherein each playing card has a specific numeric value. An ante or initial wager is placed by at least one player. Next, the dealer preferably deals an initial two card hand in a left-to-right motion starting from the dealer&#39;s left. The cards are dealt face down. The dealer also deals himself an initial two card hand. The player then views his or her cards and then decides whether to stay, fold or place a second wager to obtain additional cards. If the player wants additional cards, the player places the second wager. The player may request only one additional card, or he may request two more additional cards to achieve a four card hand. These additional cards are dealt face up. The maximum number of cards a player may have is four cards. However, the dealer may deal himself more than four cards. If the player&#39;s cards have a total point value that exceeds 25, the player “busts” and is out. The dealer must stand on 21. This means that the dealer must continue to deal himself additional cards until the point value of the dealer&#39;s hand is greater than or equal to 21. If the point value of the dealer&#39;s hand is greater than 25, the dealer busts and is out. If the player&#39;s hand has a point value of 25 and the dealer&#39;s hand does not have a point value of 25, the player wins and his or her winnings are determined by a predetermined pay-table set by the house. If the dealer&#39;s hand has a point value that is 21 and the player&#39;s hand has a point value that is greater than 21 but less than or equal to 25, the player wins and his or her winnings are determined by a predetermined pay-table set by the house. Other aspects of the method of playing modified blackjack are disclosed herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.60/981,533, filed Oct. 22, 2007. The entire disclosure of U.S.application No. 60/981,533 is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates a method for playing a cardgame.

BACKGROUND ART

Casinos and wagering establishments are always looking for new, noveland exciting card games that entice players to play such card games andhold the players' interest. Exciting card games increase revenues tocasinos and wagering establishments. On the other hand, prospective,players are always looking for new card games that are challenging andexciting. The game of “blackjack” or “twenty-one” is perhaps the mostpopular card game played in casinos throughout the United States.Blackjack is typically played with a standard deck of playing cardscontaining fifty-two cards in four different suits. The object of thegame is for each player to collect a number of cards in his or her handwhereby the total point value assigned to the cards in a player's handis as close as possible to twenty-one without going over. Numbered cards(i.e., 2-10) are assigned a numerical value equal to their face valueand face cards (i.e., king, queen and jack) are assigned a numericalvalue of ten points each. An ace card may be assigned either a pointvalue of one or eleven—whichever value gives a more favorable hand tothe player. If the point value in a player's hand exceeds twenty-onepoints, the player “busts” and is eliminated from further play until awinner is declared and the next hand is dealt. Blackjack is typicallyplayed at tables that include a location for a dealer and up to sevenadditional players. Each player places a wager and, along with thedealer, initially receives two cards. In traditional blackjack, eachplayer is playing against the dealer or “house”. The dealer or houseacts as the bank, paying all losses and collecting all winnings from theother players at the table. In order to win his or her wager, the cardsin a player's hand must have a higher total point value than the totalpoint value in the dealer's hand without going over twenty-one points.During a player's turn, a player may elect to draw additional cards(i.e., take a “hit”) or play only the cards currently held in his or herhand (i.e. “stand”). A player may continue to receive additional cardsin order to try to reach a point total of twenty-one without exceedingtwenty-one. It is not necessary to reach twenty-one points to win agame; it is only necessary to come closer to twenty-one points than thedealer. Since the dealer receives one of his two initial cards facedown(i.e., a “hole” card), the players know only half of the cards in thedealer's initial hand. This adds an element of uncertainty to a player'sdecision to take a hit or stand. The risk of losing a hand by exceedingtwenty-one points (i.e., “busting”) by taking an additional cardincreases as the point total of the cards in the player's handapproaches twenty-one. A player increases the probability of beating thedealer's card total by selectively and strategically hitting or standingon a particular card situation. Under most house rules, the dealer musttake a hit on any point total of sixteen or less and must stand on anypoint total of seventeen or more. Any player whose hand has a pointtotal that does not exceed twenty one and is closer to twenty-one thanthe dealer, wins his or her wager. Conversely, each player who “busts”or who does not achieve a higher point total than the dealer loses thehand and the corresponding wager for that hand. Even if the dealer alsobusts, the player still loses when the player busts. A “blackjack”occurs when a player or the dealer receives an ace and a face card orten. A blackjack by the dealer ends the game, causing all other playersto lose their wagers. A blackjack for a player is the best possible handfor the player and beats the dealer unless the dealer also has ablackjack. Ties between the player and the dealer are a “push” and aretypically won by the house. Players at a blackjack table will typicallyplay multiple successive hands and players may enter and leave the gameat any time between hands. After all of the players have taken hits orhave stood on their hand, the dealer stands or hits based onpre-established rules of the game. The conventional manner of playrequires the dealer to take a hit whenever the dealer's hand is a “soft17” count. However, in other casinos, the dealer stands on a soft 17count. The term “soft” means that the ace is valued as a count ofeleven, instead of as a count of one. A soft 17 occurs when the dealerhas an ace and a six (or multiple cards that add up to six). The dealerwill stand on soft 18s, soft 19s and soft 20s. Different card games aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,947,822, 6,027,118, 6,131,908, 6,179,711,6,609,711, 6,749,200, 6,877,748, and 7,222,854, Patent ApplicationPublication No. US2004/0124585 and Great Britain Patent No. 2216322.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a modified versionof blackjack that generates additional unpredictability, excitement, andrevenue for both players and casinos in comparison to traditional formsof blackjack.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentin view of the ensuing description of the present invention.

As used herein, the term “modified blackjack” refers to the card game ofthe present invention wherein the object of the game is for each playerto collect a number of cards in his or her hand whereby the total pointvalue assigned to the cards in a player's hand is as close to possibleto a predetermined number, other than twenty-one, without going overthat predetermined number. In a preferred embodiment, the predeterminednumber is 25.

As used herein, the term “point value”, when used relative to a “hand ofcards” refers to the total numeric value of the hand of cards. The totalnumeric value of the hand of cards is found by totaling the point valuesof the individual cards in the hand.

The game is played with a suitable gaming or card table. The playersstand or sit at respective player locations spaced about the peripheryof the gaming or card table.

The first step of the game is to provide a plurality of sets of playingcards wherein each playing card has a specific numeric value. In apreferred embodiment, the game is played with between five and ninedecks of cards. More preferably, the game is played with between six andeight decks of cards. Next, an ante or initial wager is placed by atleast one player. The minimum and maximum amount of the ante or initialwager is determined by the house. The dealer deals an initial hand oftwo cards to himself and the player. These initial cards are dealt facedown. The player then views his or her cards and then decides whether tostay, fold or place a second wager to obtain up to two additional cards.The maximum number of cards a player can have is four cards. Thus, theplayer can request just one additional card or can request twoadditional cards to achieve the maximum number of cards. The additionalcards are dealt face up. The player may double down if at any time thepoint value of the player's cards equals fifteen (15). However, theplayer may only double down only when the point value of the player'scards equals fifteen (15). If the player's hand has point value thatexceeds 25, the player “busts” and is out. The dealer is permitted tohave more than four (4) cards. The dealer must stand on 21. This meansthat the dealer must continue to deal himself additional cards until thepoint value of the dealer's hand is either 21 or greater than 21. If thepoint value of the dealer's hand is greater than 25, the dealer bustsand is out. If the player's hand has a point value of 25 and thedealer's hand does not have a point value of 25, the player wins and hisor her winnings are determined by a predetermined pay-table set by thehouse.

If the dealer's hand has a point value that is 21 and the player's handhas a point value that is greater than 21 but less than or equal to 25,the player wins and his or her winnings are determined by apredetermined pay-table set by the house.

If the both the player's hand and the dealer's hand have a point valuethat is equal to 25 and the player has fewer cards than the dealer, thenthe player wins.

If the both the player's hand and the dealer's hand have a point valuethat is equal to 25 and the dealer has fewer cards than the player, thenthe dealer wins.

A tie or push would occur if both the player's and dealer's hands havethe same number of cards and same point value and this point value isless than or equal to 25. In one embodiment, the dealer returns theplayer's initial ante and subsequent wagers to the player in the eventof a tie or push. In an alternate embodiment, the player loses his orher ante and subsequent wagers in the event of a tie or push.

If the dealer's hand has a point value of 25 and the point value of theplayer's hand is less than or greater than 25, the player loses and thedealer wins.

If the dealer holds on 21, but the point value of the player's hand hasa point value that is less than 21, the player loses and the dealerwins.

If the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand isless than twenty five (25), then whoever has the hand with a point valueclosest to twenty five (25) will win.

If the player should win, the winnings paid to the player are based onthe player's wagers, any double down bets, and a predetermined payoutschedule.

The card game of the present invention can be played: (i) in a casino orother wagering establishment in a manner similar to conventional cardgames, i.e. “live table version” wherein a group of players and a dealerare positioned at a gaming table, (ii) on electronic video gamingmachines such as electronic video poker gaming machines which may belocated in a casino other wagering establishment, or (iii) on linked,electronic video gaming machines located in a casino or wageringestablishment. The card game of the present invention also can beimplemented on slot machines. Furthermore, the card game of the presentinvention also can be implemented with lottery scratch-type tickets thatare sold by many state governments.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The card game of the present invention can be played with up to sixplayers plus the dealer. A single player also may play the card game.The players sit at or stand adjacent to a respective portion of a gamingor card table designated as a player station. In one embodiment, all ofthe sets of cards are contained in a shoe, known in the art, from whichthe dealer may draw one card at a time. In another embodiment, all ofthe sets of cards are contained in an automatic card shuffler. In apreferred embodiment, the game is played with between five and ninedecks of cards. More preferably, the game is played with between six andeight decks of cards.

As used herein, the terms “ante”, “wager” and “bet” have the samemeaning and are used interchangeably. The card game of the presentinvention can be implemented on an electronic gaming machine such as thetype used to realize an electronic video gaming machine. In suchelectronic gaming machines, images of playing cards are electronicallygenerated and then displayed on a display screen. If the card game ofthe present invention is implemented on an electronic gaming machine,the electronic gaming machine is preferably configured to generate asingle deck of 52 cards. Additionally, the card game of the presentinvention can be realized with a lottery scratch ticket wherein imagesof playing cards are covered by a substance that is removed by playerswith a coin or other suitable object. U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,107 shows atypical structure of such lottery scratch-type tickets. Thus, the terms“cards”, “playing cards” or “hand” are defined herein to include:

a) physical playing cards,

b) computer-generated images of playing cards,

c) graphically generated images of playing cards, and

d) images of playing cards formed on lottery scratch-type tickets.

As is well known in the art, each player station of the game tableincludes an area for placing the player's cards and a betting area.Preferably, each player's station also has a payout schedulecorresponding to the card game of the present invention. The game tableincludes a dealer playing station or area and an area wherein the dealermay place the dealer's cards.

As used herein, the terms “numeric value” or “value” refer to thenumeric value assigned to each playing card. In accordance with thepresent invention, number cards (e.g. 2, 3, 8, etc.) are assigned anumeric value that is the same as the face value of the card. Forexample, the “eight” card shall have a numeric value of eight. Pictureor face cards such as Jack, Queen and King shall each have a numericvalue of ten. The Ace shall have a numeric value of either one oreleven. In an initial hand of cards, the Ace may be assigned a numericvalue of eleven so as to enable a player to achieve modified blackjack.

As used herein, the phrase “total point value” or “point value” shallrefer to the total of the numeric values of all of the cards in a hand.For example, a hand of “Five, Eight, Nine, Queen” shall have a pointvalue of thirty two (32). In another example, a hand consisting of “2,6, 7, 10” shall have a point value of 25.

In accordance with the invention, the term “modified blackjack” occurswhen a player collects a number of cards in his or her hand whereby thetotal point value of the hand is as close as possible to a predeterminednumber, other than twenty-one, without going over that predeterminednumber. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined number is 25.

The first step of the game is to provide the plurality of decks of cardswherein each playing card has a specific numeric value.

An ante or initial wager is placed by at least one player. The minimumand maximum amount of the ante or initial wager is determined by thehouse.

Next, the dealer preferably deals an initial two card hand in aleft-to-right motion starting from the dealer's left. The cards aredealt face down. The dealer also deals himself an initial two card hand.

The player then views his or her cards and then decides whether to stay,fold or place a second wager to obtain additional cards. If the playerwants additional cards, the player places the second wager. The playermay request only one additional card, or he may request two moreadditional cards to achieve a four card hand. These additional cards aredealt face up.

The maximum number of cards a player may have is four cards. Therefore,the dealer cannot deal more than four cards to any one player. However,the dealer may deal himself more than four cards.

If at any time the point value of the player's hand is fifteen (15), theplayer may “double down”. However, the player may double down only whenthe point value is fifteen (15).

If the player's cards have a total point value that exceeds 25, theplayer “busts” and is out.

The dealer must stand on 21. This means that the dealer must continue todeal himself additional cards until the point value of the dealer's handis either 21 or greater than 21. If the point value of the dealer's handis greater than 25, the dealer busts and is out.

If the player's hand has a point value of 25 and the dealer's hand doesnot have a point value of 25, the player wins and his or her winningsare determined by a predetermined pay-table set by the house.

If the dealer's hand has a point value that is 21 and the player's handhas a point value that is greater than 21 but less than or equal to 25,the player wins and his or her winnings are determined by apredetermined pay-table set by the house.

If the both the player's hand and the dealer's hand have a point valuethat is equal to 25 and the player has fewer cards than the dealer, thenthe player wins.

If the both the player's hand and the dealer's hand have a point valuethat is equal to 25 and the dealer has fewer cards than the player, thenthe dealer wins.

A tie or push would occur if player's and dealer's hands both have thesame point value and this point value is less than or equal to 25, andboth dealer and player have the same number of cards. In one embodiment,the dealer returns the player's initial ante and subsequent wagers tothe player in the event of a tie or push. In an alternate embodiment,the player loses his or her ante and subsequent wagers in the event of atie or push.

If the dealer's hand has a point value of 25 and the point value of theplayer's hand is less than or greater than 25, the player loses and thedealer wins.

If the dealer holds on 21, but the point value of the player's hand hasa point value that is less than 21, the player loses and the dealerwins. If the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's handis less than twenty five (25), then whoever has the hand with a pointvalue closest to twenty five (25) will win.

If the player should win, the winnings paid to the player are based onthe player's wagers, any double down bets, and a predetermined payoutschedule.

The following examples illustrate the scenarios described above.

EXAMPLE 1

Dealer's Hand: Four Cards (4, 8, 8, Ace) Point Value: 21 Player: FourCards (3, 5, 7, 7) Point Value: 22 Winner: Player

EXAMPLE 2

Dealer's Hand: Three Cards (2, 4, 4, 7, 8) Point Value: 25 Player: FourCards (3, 4, 7, 9) Point Value: 23 Winner: Dealer

EXAMPLE 3

Dealer's Hand: Four Cards (3, 6, 7, 8) Point Value: 24 Player: FourCards (2, 4, 9, J) Point Value: 25 Winner: Player

EXAMPLE 4

Dealer's Hand: Three Cards (7, 7, Ace) Point Value: 25 Player: FourCards (2, 4, 9, J) Point Value: 25 Winner: Dealer

EXAMPLE 5

Dealer's Hand: Three Cards (6, 7, 8) Point Value: 21 Player: Four Cards(2, 4, J, Q) Point Value: 26 Winner: Dealer

EXAMPLE 6

Dealer's Hand: Four Cards (2, 6, 7, 8) Point Value: 23 Player: FourCards (2, 4, 7, 8) Point Value: 21 Winner: Dealer

EXAMPLE 7

Dealer's Hand: Four Cards (3, 4, 6, K) Point Value: 23 Player: FourCards (2, 2, 9, Q) Point Value: 23 Winner: Tie or Push

EXAMPLE 8

Dealer's Hand: Four Cards (3, 5, 7, K) Point Value: 25 Player: FourCards (2, 6, 8, 9) Point Value: 25 Winner: Tie or Push

Dealer's Hand: Three Cards (10, 10, K) Point Value: 30 Player: FourCards (2, 6, 7, 8) Point Value: 23 Winner: Player

EXAMPLE 9

Dealer's Hand: Three Cards (10, 10, K) Point Value: 30 Player: FourCards (2, 8, 9, 10) Point Value: 29 Winner: No winner, player loses allbets.

EXAMPLE 10

The card game of the present invention can be played: (i) in a casino orother wagering establishment in a manner similar to conventional cardgames, i.e. “live table version” wherein a group of players and a dealerare positioned at a gaming table, (ii) on electronic video gamingmachines such as electronic video poker gaming machines which may belocated in a casino other wagering establishment, or (iii) on linked,electronic video gaming machines located in a casino or wageringestablishment. The card game of the present invention also can beimplemented on slot machines. Furthermore, the card game of the presentinvention also can be implemented with lottery scratch-type tickets thatare sold by many state governments.

Although the foregoing description is in terms of the predeterminednumber for Modified Blackjack being 25, it is to be understood that thepredetermined number can also be another number, other than 21. Forpredetermined numbers higher than 40, the game of the present inventionmay be modified to increase the maximum number of cards that can be in aplayer's or dealer's hand.

It is to be understood that the card game of the present invention canbe played: (i) in a casino or other wagering establishment in a mannersimilar to conventional card games, i.e. “live table version” wherein agroup of players and a dealer are positioned at a gaming table, (ii) onelectronic video gaming machines which may be located in a casino otherwagering establishment, or (iii) on linked, electronic video gamingmachines located in a casino or wagering establishment. Electronic videogaming machines are generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,823,873,6,478,675 and 6,517,074, disclosure of which patents are herebyincorporated by reference. The card game of the present invention alsocan be implemented on slot machines, and lottery scratch tickets.Lottery scratch tickets are known in the art and are described in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. US2006/0043670, published Mar. 2,2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,429,044), the disclosure of which publicationis hereby incorporated by reference.

The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of thepresent invention have been described in the foregoing specification.The invention which is intended to be protected herein should not,however, be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, asthese are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.Variations in changes may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoingdetailed description should be considered exemplary in nature and notlimited to the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in theattached claims.

1. A method for playing modified blackjack, comprising: providing aplurality of sets of playing cards wherein each playing card has aspecific numeric value; placing a first, initial wager by at least oneplayer; dealing an initial hand of cards face down to the dealer and theat least one player; a player viewing his or her cards and determiningwhether to stay, fold or place a second wager to obtain to twoadditional cards; dealing additional cards to the player if the playerso desires; determining the point value of the player's hand; the atleast one player leaving the game if the at least one player's hand hasa point value that exceeds twenty-five; the dealer continuing to dealhimself cards until the point value of the dealer's hand is eithertwenty-one or greater than twenty-one; declaring the player the winnerif the player's hand has a point value of twenty-five and the dealer'shand has a point value that does not equal twenty-five; and awardingwinnings to the player wherein the winnings are band on a predeterminedpay-table set by the house, and the amount of the wagers placed by theat least one player.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein theadditional cards are dealt face up.
 3. The method according to claim 1wherein the maximum number of cards a player may have is four cards. 4.The method according to claim 1 further including the step of declaringthe player the winner if the point value of the dealer's hand exceedstwenty-five.
 5. The method according to claim 1 further including thestep of declaring the player the winner if the point value of thedealer's hand is twenty-one and the point value of the player's hand isgreater than twenty-one and less than or equal to twenty-five.
 6. Themethod according to claim 1 further including the step of declaring theplayer the winner if the point values of both the player's and dealer'shand is twenty-five and the player's hand contains fewer cards than thedealer's hand.
 7. The method according to claim 1 further including thestep of declaring the dealer the winner if the dealer's hand has a pointvalue of twenty-five and the point value of the player's hand is lessthan or greater than twenty-five.
 8. The method according to claim 1further including the step of declaring the dealer the winner if thedealer's hand has a point value of twenty-one and the point value of theplayer's hand is less than twenty-one.
 9. The method according to claim1 further including the step of declaring the dealer the winner if thepoint value of the player's hand is twenty-five and the point value ofthe dealer's hand is twenty-five and the dealer's hand contains fewercards than the dealer's hand.
 10. The method according to claim 1further including the step of declaring a tie or push if both theplayer's and dealer's hands have the same number of cards and the samepoint value and this point value is less than twenty-five.
 11. Themethod according to claim 10 wherein all of the at least one player'swagers are returned to that player if a tie or push is declared.
 12. Themethod according to claim 10 wherein all of the at least one player'swagers are retained by the house if a tie or push is declared.
 13. Themethod according to claim 1 further comprising the step of declaring theplayer the winner if the point values of the dealer's and player's handare both less than twenty-five but the point value of the player's handis closer to twenty-five.
 14. The method according to claim 1 furthercomprising the step of declaring the dealer the winner if the pointvalues of the dealer's and player's hand are both less than twenty-fivebut the point value of the dealer's hand is closer to twenty-five. 15.The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of allowingthe at least one player to double down when the point value of his handis fifteen.